Yellowknife (Feb 21/03) - A gathering of about 400 NWT young people will take place in Inuvik, May 27-29.

Barry Greenland, sub chief of the Nihtat Gwich'in council, said a youth conference is long overdue in Inuvik and in the NWT.

"I used to participate in youth conferences when I was younger," Greenland said. "The youth of the Northwest Territories needed something to encourage them to get an education; to continue on with a life in a positive outlook."

He said much of the communities' leadership is absorbed with business dealings and not enough has been done for the youth.

"Looking at our young people and looking at what's coming ahead, we don't have anything planned out and the youth need a boost," he said.

Greenland hopes the youth will gain inspiration from successful aboriginals and, through sharing their own strengths and ideals, find a better path to the future.

"They share many of the same problems, but some of them may also bring solutions to these problems," Greenland said.

He said the communities he's contacted have been very supportive of the conference and he expects about 400 young people age 10 to 24, but all are welcome to attend.

Greenland, Susan Ross, Janelle Frost and Melissa Kisoun, along with facilitators from throughout the region, will co-ordinate the two day event.

"Throughout the day, they will break into four groups," he said. "They will pick a topic, their concerns, and they will come up with ideas and solutions," he said.

Travis Dugas, a traditional pow wow dancer and motivational speaker from Alberta, and Dakota House, from the CBC's defunct, North of 60.

The Much Music Dance Party will entertain the kids in the evening and Greenland said he's also trying to get Don Burnstick and Tom Jackson confirmed.

"We're also in the process of organizing a fashion show and a talent show," he said.

There will also be six aboriginal police officers coming up from Yellowknife to speak at the conference.

The hotel group has offered a break on hotel rates and First Air will give the group special fares for travel.

"A big conference like this hasn't happened in the Northwest Territories since October 1985," Greenland said.